October 2009 Archives

There are plenty of former stars, living in the Fairytale Kingdom whose fame has faded and whose glory is gone. Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (of beanstalk fame), the Naked Emperor and Snow White were all once big deals and are now virtual unknowns. In an effort to reclaim their lost fame, all four characters are desperate to do something to attract the Storyteller's attention and once again see their names written in the Fairytale Kingdom's latest books. What should they do? Nothing captures the attention of the masses like some old-fashioned violence.

Paradox Interactive has released its game Fort Zombie as a download for the PC. This action-oriented role-playing game was developed by Kerberos Productions and has players defending a single building (and small parts of the surrounding town) from an onslaught of zombies.

Two new DanceDanceRevolution from Konami have reached stores. DanceDanceRevolution: Hottest Party 3 for the Wii adds support for the Wii Balance Board to the franchise, allowing players to dance using the Balance Board, Wii Remote and Nunchuk to dance along to the music. DanceDanceRevolution X2 can be purchased for the PlayStation 2 and adds a "Dice Master Mode" in which players can roll the dice to receive a dancing challenge.

Atlus U.S.A.'s game 101-in-1 Party Megamix for the Wii is now in North American stores. This title, available for $20, includes a collection of 101 party games organized into eight differently-themed channels.

Rockstar Games, the premier label of Take-Two Interactive, has released The Ballad of Gay Tony as a download for the Xbox 360 and Episodes from Liberty City as a disc in retail stores. The Ballad of Gay Tony is the latest downloadable expansion for Grand Theft Auto IV. Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City includes both the previously released The Lost and Damned as well as The Ballad of Gay Tony, together on a disc available in retail stores.

Turbine has launched the first major content update for Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited (at least, the first since the game became free to play and called "Eberron Unlimited"). The update includes the "Epic Difficulty" setting for dungeons, a new adventure pack and the ability to unlock "Veteran Status," allowing veterans to create characters that start at level four.

Mythic Entertainment, part of Electronic Arts, has released the Mac version of its massively multiplayer online game Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. The Mac client can now be downloaded, making the game available for another platform.

Nyko has launched its DSi Zoom Case in North American stores. The Zoom Case is a protective hard case for the DSi that comes with a detachable 8x optical zoom lens for taking pictures of material further away from the DS than the naked lens makes possible.

Electronic Arts has shipped Hasbro Family Game Night 2 for the Wii and Hasbro Family Game Night for the DS to stores in North America. The DS game brings four of the games from the original Hasbro Family Game Night to Nintendo's portable platform. Hasbro Family Game Night 2 for the Wii brings five new games to the console with Mr. Potato Head as the host. The new games are Operation, Jenga, Bop It, Pictureka and Connect 4x4.

Activision, part of Activision Blizzard, has (together with Nickelodeon) released its game iCarly for the Wii and DS to stores in North America. Based on the Nickelodeon show, the game has players completing mini-game challenges presented as show segments.

Activision, part of Activision Blizzard, has shipped two compilations of sports mini-games to stores. Mountain Sports includes six outdoor sports such as snowboarding and curling, some of which support the Wii Balance Board. Water Sports includes four games, such as windsurfing and jet skiing, again supporting the Wii Balance Board.

Namco Bandai Games has shipped Tekken 6, the latest installment in its premier fighting game franchise, to stores. The game is available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, adding new fighters and precise online competition.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has shipped Touchmaster 3 for the DS to stores in North America. This title includes 20 casual and mini-games similar to those found on the Touchmaster machines in bars across the country. This is the third Touchmaster released for the DS.

Disney's game Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure for the DS has shipped to stores in North America. The game has players taking on the role of the fairy Tinkerbell and searching for a treasure somewhere north of Never Land.

Activision, part of Activision Blizzard, has shipped Madagascar Kartz for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and DS. This kart-racing game is based on the Madagascar films and features the main characters of those films as the kart drivers.

When I hear "fishing," I usually think of men slowly casting lures in a quiet setting, occasionally reeling in a fish. Shimano Xtreme Fishing is a reminder that fishing can involve bows and spear guns firing bolts with compressed gas. Choose your weapon in Shimano Xtreme Fishing to participate in tournaments or just fish freely.

The console versions of Ubisoft's game CSI: Deadly Intent have shipped to stores. The PC version shipped to stores last week. The Xbox 360 and Wii versions follow the format of the television show and PC game, while the DS version is actually called CSI: Deadly Intent - The Hidden Cases and involves slightly different investigations, also along the lines of the television show.

City Interactive's game Chronicles of Mystery: Curse of the Ancient Temple for the DS is now in stores in North America. This hidden-object-style adventure game has players searching for the missing uncle of an archaeologist.

Dreamcatcher, part of JoWooD, has shipped Painkiller: Resurrection for the PC to stores in North America. Developed by Homegrown Games, this titles expands on the original Painkiller, a first person shooter in which the player eliminates the forces of Hell, on their home turf.

Ubisoft has shipped Press Your Luck: 2010 Edition for the PC, Wii and DS to stores in North America. Based on the television game show of the same name, players collect spins by answering trivia questions.

Runic Games has released Torchlight as a download for the PC. Despite some problems with the launch earlier in the day, the game is now available to all for $20. Torchlight is an action/role-playing game in the tradition of the Diablo games, among others.

D3Publisher's game Ben 10 Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks for the Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2, DS and PSP is now in stores. Based on the animated Cartoon Network show, the game has Ben Tennyson using all of his alien forms to stop the universe from being conquered.

Funcom has launched the Nights of Lost Souls update for its massively multiplayer online game Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures.The update introduces the "Veteran Points" system that allows players to collect rewards like mounts, special equipment and teleportation abilities as rewards for remaining continuous subscribers. The update also includes the Iron Tower, a new high-level dungeon in the slums of the city of Tarantia.

Ignition Entertainment's game Nostalgia for the DS is now in stores in North America. This role-playing game has players exploring an alternate 19th century, touring the world and engaging in airship battles.

Sony has released Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time for the PlayStation 3 to stores in North America. This latest Ratchet & Clank game takes Ratchet and his robotic sidekick Clank through a new series of adventures, complete with new weapons and expanded space exploration.

2K Games, part of Take-Two Interactive, has released The Stronghold Collection for the PC to stores in North America. For $30, this compilation includes Stronghold, Stronghold 2, Stronghold Crusader, Stronghold Crusader Extreme and Stronghold Legends. All these games combine castle construction and management with real-time strategy battles filled with medieval siege warfare.

Paradox Interactive has released Privateer, an expansion for East India Company. East India Company: Privateer requires the original game and is only available as a download for the PC. It adds two new campaigns centered on acting as a privateer, new missions and new commander skills.

Microsoft's game Forza Motorsport 3 for the Xbox 360 is now in stores. This latest iteration of Microsoft's flagship racing game franchise includes around 400 cars and around 100 tracks for players to speed around. The game also includes a code, only available with new copies of the game, for the Motorsport Legends Pack that includes eight classic cars and two more tracks.

DJ Hero from Activision, part of Activision Blizzard, is now in stores in North America. The game is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and PlayStation 2. Developed by FreeStyleGames, the title can be purchased alone or in a bundle with a turntable controller. Players can then scratch and crossfade along to tracks by famous DJs.

Electronic Arts has shipped Nerf "N-Strike" Elite for the Wii to stores. The game is available as a bundle including a Nerf Switch Shot EX-3 that sports a "Red Reveal" decoder lens for detecting certain clues within the game. Players can then use the controller to destroy an army of robots using Nerf weapons.

Zoo Games, together with PlayFirst, has released its game Diner Dash: Flo on the Go for the DS to stores. The game has Flo, Diner Dash's waitress, leaving on a tropical cruise, building up a restaurant on the ship and serving customers of all kinds.

Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter is now in stores. THQ has released the game for the Wii and DS. Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter revisits Raposa Village, allowing players to draw their own protagonist, arm him (or her) by drawing weapons and vehicles, and even play a variety of mini-games.

Playlogic Entertainment's game Fairytale Fights is now in stores in North America. The game is available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and has players battling through a bloodier version of classic fairytale worlds.

THQ's game All Star Cheer Squad 2 for the Wii is now in stores in North America. The game has players participating in cheerleading competitions worldwide, using up to two Wii Remotes and a Wii Balance Board for a single player to control a squad of cheerleaders.

2K Play, a label of Take-Two Interactive, has shipped Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Super Game Day for the Wii and PlayStation 2 to stores. The game includes 10 mini-games based on the Nickelodeon Children's show Ni Hao, Kai-Lan.

THQ has shipped Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader: Game Time for the Xbox 360, Wii and DS to stores in North America. Based on the television game show hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, this video game version includes around 5,000 questions from 28 categories.

THQ has shipped a physical edition of Riot Games' League of Legends to stores in North America. The League of Legends Collector's Pack includes the free, online game as well as exclusive skins, $10 of Riot Points for the game's store and 20 playable champions with which to battle online.

Eddie Riggs is the ultimate roadie. On a night like any other, when Riggs was saving a show while remaining in the shadows and behind the scenes, an injury caused his blood to trickle into his belt buckle. But Riggs is no ordinary roadie. He's the best roadie who ever lived. His belt buckle, too, is no ordinary buckle. Fueled by blood, it transports Riggs to an ancient age when man is oppressed by demons, heavy metal is the source of all power and a revolution is about to begin...

Electronic Arts has shipped SimAnimals Africa for the Wii and DS to stores worldwide. The game has players taming exotic animals like lions and elephants allowing gamers to interact with and play mini-games with a variety of animals.

THQ's game SpongeBob's Truth or Square for the Xbox 360, Wii, PSP and DS has shipped to stores in North America. This latest game based on the SpongeBob SquarePants character and animated series celebrates the funniest moments from the last ten years of the franchise.

Netflix confirmed today that the company will begin streaming video for PlayStation 3 users next month. Previously, the Xbox 360 was the only console with the ability to act as a Netflix appliance, but starting next month, PlayStation 3 owners with a Netflix subscription will be able to request a free disc that will enable the streaming of Netflix's library of online video content.

The students at Fallcreek University have a problem. A problem that goes well beyond the promiscuous sex and rampant recreational drug use that permeates the dorms. Undergraduate life has recently been swept away by a new drug of choice – the pollen of a mysterious black flower.

On the same night as the frat party of the year, that addiction turns out to be more sinister than a buzz and a wicked hangover. The campus is suddenly overrun by nightmarish monsters... monsters that appear to be transformed undergrads.

EverQuest II: The Complete Collection from Sony Online Entertainment is now in stores for the PC. This compilation includes EverQuest II and all of the premium and free content released for the game to date, include 60 days of play time and 500 units of "Station Cash" to use with the in-game marketplace.

Atari has placed Backyard Football '10 in stores in North America. The game is available for the Xbox 360, Wii and PlayStation 2. This family-friendly football game features several NFL players as children, and allows younger gamers to enjoy football with a more casual and comic flair. The game supports two-player cooperative football action.

Mastiff has shipped its game Shimano Xtreme Fishing for the Wii to stores in North America. This fishing game allows players to go beyond conventional rod & reel fishing, using bows and spears to catch fish, as well.

Matrix Games, together with Niels Bauer Games, has released Smugglers IV: Doomsday as a download for the PC. This turn-based strategy game has players trading goods in a galaxy filled with mercenaries, pirates and other problematic professions.

Namco Bandai Games has shipped Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo for the Wii to stores in North America. This game has players exploring the Dragon Ball world as Goku, complete with cut-scenes from the original anime series.

Deep Silver, part of Koch Media, has shipped its game Mytran Wars for the PSP to stores in North America. The game is set in the distant future when Earth's resources are exhausted, but a new planet has been discovered with plentiful resources, triggering a massive war.

Kalypso Media's game Tropico 3 for the PC has shipped to stores in North America. This is the third game in the banana republic simulator franchise that began with the 2002 release of Tropico. In the game, players take on the role of a dictator of a Caribbean nation during the cold War.

Ubisoft's game CSI: Deadly Intent has shipped for the PC to stores in North America. This adventure-style game, based on the ninth season of the television series CSI, should ship shortly for consoles.

Very clearly, one Imagine: Fashion Designer designer game just isn't enough, because Ubisoft has released several, the latest of which arrives in stores today for the DS: Imagine: Fashion Designer - World Tour. The game allows DS owners to create their own fashion brand and promote it around the world by opening boutiques and setting up runway shows.

FIFA Soccer 10 is now in stores in North America for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC, PlayStation 2, PSP and DS. The game was previously released in Europe and other territories worldwide, and is the latest iteration of EA's FIFA Soccer franchise. This game features improved dribbling controls and the ability to play in online 10 vs. 10 matches.

D3Publisher's game The Secret Saturdays: Beasts of the 5th Sun for the Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP and DS is now in stores in North America. The game is based on the Cartoon Network television series The Secret Saturdays and has players taking on the role of Zak Saturday as his family works to protect secret artifacts.

Sony's game MotorStorm Arctic Edge for the PlayStation 2 is now in stores. This racing game brings the MotorStorm franchise to the PlayStation 2, allowing players to race across the post-apocalyptic Alaskan landscape.

Performance Designed Products (PDP) has launched the Energizer Power & Play system for the Wii. This induction charging system is now available in stores. It is available in two- and four-controller designs. Each is a mat onto which one can lay Wii remotes (with compatible Energizer rechargeable batteries) to recharge Wii remotes.

D3Publisher's title Astro Boy: The Video Game is now in stores for the Wii, PlayStation 2 and DS. Based on film that reaches theaters later this week, the game has players acting as Astro Boy, working to save Metro City from President Stone and his robot army. The film, of course, is based on the character created by Osamu Tezuka in the 1950s.

Paradox Interactive has released Elven Legacy: Ranger, a downloadable expansion for Elven Legacy, a turn-based strategy game of fantasy combat. The expansion adds 16 campaign missions to the game along with new artifacts, heroes and spells.

Majesco's game Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop for the DS is now in stores in North America. This newest Cooking Mama game adds the ability for Mama's cooks to purchase ingredients at stores to add into their dishes prepared by moving the DS stylus like a variety of cooking implements.

Taito, a subsidiary of Square Enix, has shipped Space Invaders Extreme 2 for the DS to stores in North America. This shooter (sequel to Space Invaders Extreme and based on the classic coin-operated shooter Space Invaders) has players blasting wave upon wave of Invaders along with the occasional boss.

Activision, part of Activision Blizzard, has placed its game Bakugan Battle Brawlers for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2 and DS in stores today in North America. Based on the television series and Spin Master toys, this game has players using Bakugan cards and Bakugan balls to create giant creatures that do battle.

2K Games, part of Take-Two Interactive, has released Borderlands for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The PC version should ship to stores next week. Featuring elements of both the first-person shooter and role-playing game, Borderlands sends players to the distant border world of Pandora in search of a vault rumored to be filled with treasure. The game features a tremendous variety of (somewhat) randomly generated weapons and the ability to play co-operatively with four players.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PSP and DS is now in stores in North America. This latest installment in THQ's flagship wrestling game franchise offers an updated roster of professional wrestlers and tweaks to the game's previously available systems.

Rockstar Games, the premier label of Take-Two Interactive, has made its game Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the PSP available in stores in North America. A version of the game was previously released for the DS, and follows Huang Lee as he arrives in Liberty City to search for the man who murdered his father.

THQ's Marvel Super Hero Squad for the Wii, DS, PlayStation 2 and PSP is now in stores in North America. This brawler lets players choose from among around 20 Marvel characters to use in battle against Dr. Doom's "Lethal Legion."

I-play, part of Oberon Media, has released Agatha Christie: Dead Man's Folly as a downloadable game for the PC. This is the third downloadable Agatha Christie adventure game, and has players aiding Hercule Poirot as he investigates a "mock-murder game."

Majesco has shipped Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 for the DS to stores, such that the game should be available for purchase tomorrow. This is a companion title to the software of the same name previously released for the Wii and tracks a fitness regimen filled with exercises that can be completed anywhere.

Every Monday, Nintendo releases downloadable games for the Wii and DSi. Alongside three Wii games, this week's slate includes a series of games featuring Domo (a strange, open-jawed brown and fuzzy creature):

Nexon America reported selected financial results for its fiscal third quarter, noting that its revenues increased 36% in its fiscal third quarter, with September revenues in particular 44% higher than revenues in September of 2008.

Performance Designed Products (PDP) has launched its game Squeeballs Party for the Wii and DS. Based on the "Squeeballs" toys, the games have players engaging in around 150 party-game style challenges based on the squeezable toys.

Majesco has shipped Cake Mania 3 for the DS to stores in North America. This latest Cake Mania game has Jill Evans travelling through time to rescue her loved ones by baking, thereby bringing them back to participate in her wedding.

THQ*ICE, a joint venture between THQ and ICE Entertainment, has "officially" launched its free-to-play online game Dragonica Online. The persistent online game is a 3D side-scrolling game that pits players against the evil Lord Dragon Elga. Exactly what distinguishes the post-launch game from the pre-launch game isn't entirely clear, but it's now "live"!

Where the Wild Things Are has shipped to stores for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and DS. Based on the film of the same name (in turn, based on the classic children's book), the game has players putting on a wolf suit and exploring the Wild Things' island.

Sega's game Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games for the Wii and DS is now in stores. The game has Mario and friends competing against Sonic the Hedgehog and his compatriots at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Bethesda Softworks, part of ZeniMax Media, has shipped the Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC to stores in North America. This compilation includes Fallout 3 as well as the recently released downloadable content including "Operation Anchorage," "The Pitt," "Broken Steel," "Point Lookout" and "Mothership Zeta."

Activision, part of Activision Blizzard, has shipped the PC version of Cabela's Outdoor Adventures. The game previously shipped for consoles and includes big-game hunting, bird hunting and freshwater fishing in one package feature Cabela-themed equipment.

Agetec's game Way of the Samurai 3 is now in North American stores for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This action game is set during the Sengoka Era of Japan (the 15th to 17th century) and has players using both combat and diplomacy to pursue one of many endings, depending on how players choose to align themselves.

Namco Bandai's game Magna Carta 2 for the Xbox 360 is now in stores in North America. This role-playing game continues the franchise's traditions with turn-based battles unlocking a continent torn by civil war.

PlayFirst has released Avenue Flo as a downloadable game for the PC and Mac. The game takes the character Flo out of her typical Diner Dash setting, placing her in an adventure game in which she must save DinerTown's biggest wedding of the year from disaster.

Sony Online Entertainment has launched the eight expansion for its online collectible card game Legends of Norrath, called "Travelers." This latest expansion adds 200 cards and starter decks for each of four new avatars that the expansion adds to this game set in the world of EverQuest.

Xseed Games has shipped Ju-On: The Grudge for the Wii to stores in North America. Inspired by the Japanese films, the game has players exploring haunted locations from a first-person perspective, using the Wii Remote as a flashlight. There is also a multiplayer mode that allows a second player to trigger scares and surprises.

Sony's game Uncharted 2: Among Thieves for the PlayStation 3 is now in stores. The action game, developed by Naughty Dog, is the sequel to Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and follows Nathan Drake as he strives to learn "the truth behind the lost fleet of Marco Polo."

Majesco Entertainment's game A Boy and His Blob for the Wii is now in stores in North America. Developed by WayForward Technologies, the game has been released on the 20th anniversary of the release of the original game. It follows an alien blob who, upon crashing on Earth, joins with a boy to free his world through side-scrolling platforming action.

Her Interactive has released Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy both as a physical game and as a download for the PC. This 21st Nancy Drew adventure game for the PC has players going undercover at a boarding school to discover who is threatening the academy's valedictorian candidates.

Electronic Arts' game Brutal Legend for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is now in stores in North America. The game should reach European shelves lat this week. Developed by Double Fine Productions, Brutal Legend follows the story of a roadie tasked with saving the world with the aid of heavy metal legends.

Aspyr Media, together with Mindware, has released its game Dreamkiller for the PC as a download through Valve's Steam service. The game should be released later this month for the Xbox 360. Dreamkiller has players taking on the role of Alice Drake, a psychologist who can enter her patients' dreams to slay their supernatural nightmares.

THQ has shipped Cars Race-O-Rama for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP and DS to stores in North America. This is the third game based on Disney-Pixar's animated Cars film and has players racing competitively against other cars and playing multiplayer party mini-games based on Disney's Cars Toons shorts.

Nintendo's game Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky is now in stores for the DS. This is the fifth Pokemon Mystery Dungeon released for the DS, including Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team. This game has players beginning as one of 19 "hero" Pokemon (five of which were not available in previous games) and then exploring randomly generated dungeons while developing Pokemon through the game's role-playing game elements. Once again, DS owners will be able to help Pokemon save the world from destruction.

The soundtrack for Spore Hero, by Winifred Phillips and produced by Winnie Waldron, has been released as an independent download through many popular music sites. Individual tracks are now available for download, or the collection of 18 tracks (just over an hour of music) can be purchased for $9.

Monte Cristo's game Cities XL for the PC is now available in stores in North America. The game is also available as a download from many game portals, and as the servers are now active, players with downloadable copies can now play the game. Cities XL is a city-building simulation in which players can build 3D cityscapes with hundreds of types of buildings. The game also includes a subscription-based online mode in which players can collaborate to build even more impressive cities.

Aion created the world of Atrea, a world with two hemispheres connected at the center by the Tower of Eternity. Aion then created humanity and other sapient species as subjects for the Balaur to rule over. But ultimately the nigh-demonic Balaur lusted after power, becoming Dragon Lords and violating the restrictions placed upon them by Aion. When humanity was the only species to resist the Balaur, Aion rewarded certain humans with ascension, transforming them into Daevas – immortal winged beings capable of battling the Balaur. Daeva's cannot die, although they can be forced to collect their essence at certain obelisks when grievously harmed.

Following a millennium of battle between humanity, the Daevas and the Balaur, a cataclysm occurred in which the Tower of Eternity shattered, leaving the world split permanently in half. One half, inhabited by the Asmodians, was plunged into eternal darkness. The Asmodians became dark-skinned and fierce to cope with their environment. At the same time, the Elyos lived in the half of Atrea bathed in light and joy. The Asmodians and Elyos are perpetually at odds, with both fearing and fighting the Balaur who inhabit the Abyss floating between the two halves of the world.

As a newly-minted paramedic for Harbor City hospital, start your professional career with a brief refresher course on a training dummy, then move on to rescuing real victims around town, starting with minor lacerations and moving on to life-threatening injuries.

Electronic Arts continues with its plan to monetize some of the income lost to used game sales and rentals. Clearly, EA intends to ensure that new games come with a one-time code for downloadable content, forcing renters and used purchasers to pay additional fees if they want the same experience as new game purchasers. Earlier this week, EA released NBA Live 10 with a feature that would cost secondary purchasers $15. Today, EA announced similar features for the upcoming role-playing game from BioWare, Dragon Age:

Near the close of the 21st century, the inhabitants of the Moon have rebelled against their Earthly masters, in a battle fought on the crater-blasted landscape of Earth's major satellite, primarily using dated technology left over from World War III. Will a single commander be able to muster what military forces the Union has on the Moon and suppress the Xenos rebellion?

Performance Designed Products has released a new version of its Switch Shot controller that can be used either to fire Nerf darts, or as a gun-like controller into which the Wii Remote can be inserted. The Nerf Switch Shot EX-3 also includes "Red Reveal." That seems to be a piece of red plastic for decoding clues in Electronic Arts' Nerf "N-Strike" Elite game.

Atari has hired Anthony Jacobson as Vice President of Business Development and Pierre Hintze as Vice President of Product Development. Prior to joining Atari, Jacobson was Vice President of Game Studios at PlayDayTV (a free-to-play casual game channel) and will focus on product development deals for Atari. Hintze previously served as a senior producer at Rainbow Studios and will plan and manage the development of Atari's franchises.

Mad Catz has shipped its Rock Band Wireless Fender Telecaster Player's Edition guitar control for the Xbox 360. The controller retails for $110 and is designed for use with music and rhythm games. It includes "fast-action fret keys" and a "touch-activated Overdrive" button.

NIS America's game A Witch's Tale for the DS is now in stores in North America. The game follows a young witch-in-training exploring fairytale worlds who unwittingly unleashes an evil witch unto the world.

Konami's game Saw, based on the film franchise of the same name, is now in stores for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game has players stepping into the shoes of Detective David Tapp, captured by Jigsaw and forced to escape from a deadly mansion.

LucasArts' game Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Republic Heroes has shipped to stores in North America. The game is being released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC, PlayStation 2, PSP and DS. The story is set between seasons one and two of the animated series and allows players to be Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Mace Windu or Kit Fisto as they work to stop an assassin's plot.

Codemasters' game Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising is now in North American stores for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. This modern military game is a first-person shooter in which the U.S. Marine Corps engages PLA troops that includes a 4-player cooperative campaign.

Majesco's title Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2010 for the Wii is now in stores in North America. A DS version of the game should be released later this month. The software, developed by Collision Studios, tracks participants' training, guided by a virtual version of Jillian Michaels.

Sony has released NBA 10: The Inside for the PSP to stores in North America. This basketball game expands on previous versions of the game with more carnival-style mini-games and the return of "Conquest" mode in which players acquire territory that provides the ability to upgrade players and venues.

PopCap Games, the casual game publisher behind games such as Zuma's Revenge, Bookworm Adventures 2 and Plants vs. Zombies, has finally pursued a round of equity funding. PopCap is one of the few companies to have grown organically, and its owners have given up a minority stake in the company in return for a $22.5 million round of funding that will be used for working capital and possible acquisitions.

Natsume's game Afrika for the PlayStation 3 is now in stores. Afrika has players photographing wildlife in a new African wildlife conservation area, striving to take photographs good enough to earn a spot on magazine covers.

Electronic Arts' basketball game NBA Live 10 is now in stores for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PSP. This latest game in EA's basketball franchise has a plan to discourage, or at least better monetize, used game sales:

2K Sports, the sports label for Take-Two Interactive, has released NBA 2K10 to stores. The game is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and PSP. The game will be released shortly for the PC and Wii. This latest version of the game streams updated statistics and news directly into the game.

Atlus' game Demon's Souls is now in stores for the PlayStation 3. The game is an action-oriented role-playing game with an extensive and vital online component in which other players can interact with you and your game as other-worldly ghosts.

THQ's software The Biggest Loser for the DS and Wii is now in stores in North America. The game serves as a sort-of fitness coach, offering around 90 exercises and fitness tracking information to users.

Matrix Games, together with 2by3 games, has released Gary Grigsby's Eagle Day to Bombing of the Reich as a download for the PC. This is, essentially a compilation of two turn-based strategy games for the PC, both exploring air battles of World War II.

Nintendo's revised balance board package, Wii Fit Plus is now in stores. The software can be purchased separately, but is typically bundled with the Wii Balance Board accessory. Wii Fit Plus is, essentially, an updated version of Wii Fit, containing a few more activities in addition to the exercise program and mini-games from the original Wii Fit. The new software also better tracks workouts and calories burned.

Ever since Sony formally announced the PSP Go at E3, developers have been hyping their plans to release downloadable games for the PSP Go. Today, the PSP Go is available in stores in North America along with a new PSP firmware update and tons of downloadable PSP games: